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S.O.S. Sumatran Orangutans Society

Sumatran orangutans are critically endangered and without urgent action could be the first Great Ape species to become extinct. SOS is dedicated to turning this situation around. We do this by: Raising awareness about the importance of protecting orangutans and their rainforest home. Supporting grassroots projects which empower local people to become guardians of the rainforests. Restoring damaged orangutan habitat through tree planting programmes. Campaigning on issues threatening the survival of orangutans in the wild.

SOS is dedicated to the protection of Sumatra's rainforests, and we champion the critically endangered Sumatran orangutan as an ambassador for the biodiversity of these fragile habitats. We support the Orangutan Information Centre and their team of dedicated Indonesian conservationists, who are working on the frontline of environmental protection in Sumatra. Together we promote the value of forests throughout Indonesian government, industry and civil society. This is particularly important in Sumatra, where forest cover was reduced by 48% in the last 25 years.

Field projects we support include:

the restorationof degraded land in and around the Gunung Leuser National Park

building a network of ‘conservation villages' which rely on the sustainable use, rather than exploitation, of ecosystems

a human-orangutan conflict response unit

environmental educationinitiatives

These programmes empower the people of Sumatra to protect and restore their natural environment - we work together for a brighter future for orangutans and their forests. Our goal is to expand these existing programmes to reach even more communities. The success of orangutan conservation in Indonesia lies in the hands of the local people.